Neighbourhood guide · Toronto & the GTA
Living in Aurora: Neighbourhood & Real Estate Guide
Moving to Aurora? Historic downtown, family neighbourhoods and estates, 2026 prices, GO access, taxes and schools, plus pros and cons.
By Irina Marchenkova, Sales Representative, RE/MAX Realtron Realty · Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) · Last updated September 2026
Aurora is a historic town in York Region, north of Richmond Hill along Yonge Street. It’s known for leafy, established neighbourhoods, prestigious estate areas, well-regarded schools, a revitalized downtown and a small-town feel, with GO train access to Toronto.
This guide covers Aurora’s neighbourhoods, homes and prices, transit, schools, lifestyle and the honest pros and cons.
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Aurora at a glance
- Where: York Region, between Richmond Hill and Newmarket along Yonge Street
- Homes: Detached family homes, luxury estates, townhouses and a small condo market
- Getting to Toronto: Aurora GO (Barrie line), YRT/Viva, Highway 404
- Best for: Families, move-up buyers and luxury buyers who want a quieter town
- Big draws: Historic downtown, Town Park, Sheppard’s Bush and the Aurora Arboretum
Why people choose Aurora
Small-town feel. Aurora’s historic core, community events and Town Park give it a friendly, close-knit character.
Prestigious neighbourhoods. Areas like the Hills of St. Andrew and Aurora Estates offer large lots and luxury homes.
Schools and recreation. Well-regarded public and Catholic schools, St. Andrew’s College and modern recreation centres.
GO train access. Aurora GO on the Barrie line connects to Union Station.
Aurora buyers often want the space and calm of a smaller town without being too far from the city. I help them compare Aurora with Newmarket and Richmond Hill street by street.
— Irina Marchenkova
Aurora neighbourhoods
Popular Aurora neighbourhoods include:
Aurora Village
The historic downtown around Yonge and Wellington, with heritage homes, local shops and Town Park.
Aurora Highlands & Aurora Heights
Established family neighbourhoods with mature trees, parks and schools.
Hills of St. Andrew & Aurora Estates
Prestigious areas with large lots, custom homes and estate properties.
Bayview Wellington & Bayview Northeast
Newer family neighbourhoods on the east side, closer to Highway 404.
Homes and prices in Aurora
Aurora’s housing includes:
- Detached family homes from the 1970s to today
- Luxury estates in the Hills of St. Andrew and Aurora Estates
- Heritage homes in Aurora Village
- Townhouses and condos along Yonge Street and Wellington
Aurora benchmark prices (September 2026)
Here’s how Aurora compares with York Region and the City of Toronto:
| Area | All homes | Detached | Semi-detached | Townhouse | Condo apt. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora | $1,106,800 | $1,307,600 | $893,700 | $748,800 | $494,400 |
| York Region | $1,080,400 | $1,329,800 | $974,500 | $733,800 | $512,900 |
| City of Toronto | $908,200 | $1,417,600 | $1,111,200 | $714,700 | $543,800 |
Benchmark prices describe a “typical” home and can differ from any individual sale. A typical detached home in Aurora was benchmarked about $110,000 below the City of Toronto figure in September 2026, and Aurora’s composite benchmark was down 6.77% year over year. Ask me for recent sold prices on any street.
Thinking of selling? Get a free home evaluation and I’ll show you what comparable homes near you have actually sold for.
Market snapshot
Here’s how many homes sold and at what prices in September 2026, for all home types combined:
| Area | Homes sold | Average price | Median price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora | 56 | $1,165,686 | $1,081,500 |
| York Region | 893 | $1,136,650 | $1,043,000 |
| All TRREB (GTA) | 5,040 | $1,006,409 | $860,000 |
Across the whole GTA in September 2026, homes sold for about 98% of their final list price on average and spent an average of 34 days on the market. GTA sales were down 9.0% from a year earlier and the average price was down 5.1%, so buyers have more choice and negotiating room than in recent years. For the latest numbers on a specific street, ask me for a free market report.
What it costs to buy in Aurora
Land transfer tax
Aurora is outside the City of Toronto, so buyers pay only Ontario’s land transfer tax, not the extra Toronto municipal tax. Here’s what that looks like at typical prices:
| Example purchase | Ontario LTT | First-time buyer pays |
|---|---|---|
| Detached home at $1,340,000 | $23,275 | $19,275 |
| Townhouse at $760,000 | $11,675 | $7,675 |
First-time buyers can get a refund of up to $4,000 on the Ontario land transfer tax. You (and your spouse) must never have owned a home anywhere in the world. Land transfer tax is paid on closing, on top of your down payment, so budget for it along with legal fees, title insurance and moving costs.
Property taxes
Aurora’s residential property tax rate is 0.874% (2026 combined rate, Town of Aurora), or about $874 a year for every $100,000 of assessed value. In Ontario, property tax is based on your home’s MPAC assessed value, which is still based on January 1, 2016 values and is usually well below today’s market price. You can find a home’s assessment on its latest tax bill or through MPAC.
| MPAC assessed value | Approximate yearly property tax |
|---|---|
| $400,000 | $3,496 |
| $600,000 | $5,244 |
| $800,000 | $6,992 |
| $1,000,000 | $8,740 |
Getting around
- GO Transit: Aurora GO station on the Barrie line, with trains to Union Station.
- YRT and Viva: Bus and rapid bus service along Yonge Street and across town.
- Driving: Highway 404 on the east side, with Highway 400 to the west.
Schools and family life
Aurora is served by the York Region District School Board and York Catholic District School Board, with French-language options through Viamonde and MonAvenir, and well-known private schools including St. Andrew’s College. Check each board’s school locator for a specific address.
Southlake Regional Health Centre in nearby Newmarket serves the area.
Child care
Licensed child care in Ontario is far more affordable than it was a few years ago. At centres enrolled in the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care program, fees for children under 6 are capped at $22 a day in 2026, and families with lower incomes can apply for a fee subsidy that reduces the cost further. (The long-promised $10-a-day average has not yet been reached in Ontario.)
York Region’s Early Years Program Finder lets you search licensed centres, including those in the reduced-fee program and those offering subsidized spaces, plus EarlyON drop-in centres for young children.
My tip: get on waitlists as early as possible, ideally several months before you move or before parental leave ends, and ask each centre whether it’s enrolled in the reduced-fee program.
- Ontario: Find and pay for child care: search licensed centres province-wide and learn about fee subsidies
- York Region: Child Care Information for Parents: the Early Years Program Finder and fee subsidy information
Parks, shopping and things to do
- Aurora Town Park and Farmers’ Market: summer markets, concerts and events
- Sheppard’s Bush Conservation Area: trails and woodlands
- Aurora Arboretum: walking trails and gardens
- Hillary House National Historic Site: a heritage home and museum
- Aurora Cultural Centre: exhibitions, concerts and classes
- Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex: pools, rinks and fitness
Pros and cons of living in Aurora
Pros
- Small-town character close to the city
- Prestigious estate neighbourhoods
- Well-regarded schools
- GO train access
- Parks, trails and a lively Town Park
Cons
- Detached homes priced close to Toronto levels
- GO trains are less frequent than on busier lines
- Car-dependent in newer neighbourhoods
- Limited condo inventory
- Yonge Street traffic
Before you buy in Aurora: local checklist
Every area has its own rules and quirks. Here’s what I check with buyers in Aurora:
- Oak Ridges Moraine: parts of south and west Aurora fall under the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, which can restrict building.
- Conservation areas: properties near creeks may be regulated by the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority.
- Heritage properties: check for heritage designations in Aurora Village before planning exterior changes.
- Accessory apartments: confirm any basement unit meets Town of Aurora requirements.
- Condos: always review the status certificate, reserve fund study and any upcoming special assessments before you firm up an offer.
- Non-Canadian buyers: check the current federal foreign-buyer rules and Ontario’s Non-Resident Speculation Tax before making an offer.
Buying or selling in Aurora with Irina
I’m a RE/MAX Realtron Realty Sales Representative and Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®). Whether you’re moving up to a larger family home, buying an estate property or selling to downsize, I’ll give you honest, local advice about Aurora, in English or Russian.
- Buying with Irina: how I help buyers find the right home and negotiate well
- Selling with Irina: pricing, preparation and marketing that gets results
- Pre-construction: new condos and homes across the GTA
- Free home evaluation: find out what your home is worth today
- First-time buyer guide, mortgage pre-approval and closing costs: plan your budget before you shop
- New to Canada? My guide to buying a home as a newcomer
Call or text 416-846-8064 or email irina@loveurlife.ca, or send me a message below.
Plan your move to Aurora
Where is Aurora?
Gold pin: Aurora. Click any white pin to open that neighbourhood’s guide.
What would I pay each month?
Start from a typical Aurora price (MLS® HPI benchmark, September 2026) or type your own:
The 4.5% interest rate is only an example; use the rate your lender or mortgage broker quotes. 30-year amortizations on insured mortgages are for first-time buyers and new builds. Outside Toronto, only Ontario land transfer tax applies. This is an estimate, not financial advice.
How have prices changed this year?
Typical price for all home types in Aurora: $1,106,800 in September 2026, -6.9% since October 2025 ($1,188,600).
MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark, October 2025 to September 2026. Source: TRREB Market Watch. Hover over a point to see that month’s figure.
Check your commute
Live travel times from Google Maps, starting in Aurora. Tip: check at the time of day you’d actually travel.
Aurora real estate FAQ
Is Aurora a good place to live?
For families and move-up buyers who want a quieter town with good schools and GO access, it can be. Aurora offers historic character, parks and prestigious neighbourhoods.
How much does a house cost in Aurora?
In September 2026, TRREB’s benchmark price for a typical detached home in Aurora was $1,307,600. Semi-detached homes were around $893,700, townhouses around $748,800 and condo apartments around $494,400.
Does Aurora have a GO train?
Yes. Aurora GO station is on the Barrie line, with trains to Union Station in downtown Toronto.
What are the most prestigious neighbourhoods in Aurora?
The Hills of St. Andrew and Aurora Estates are known for large lots and luxury homes.
Do you pay Toronto land transfer tax in Aurora?
No. Aurora is in York Region, so buyers pay only the Ontario land transfer tax.
Useful links
Official sources and local resources I recommend to buyers and sellers (links open in a new tab):
- Town of Aurora
- Aurora 2026 tax rates
- Ontario first-time buyer land transfer tax refund
- MPAC: look up a property’s assessed value
- Fraser Institute school rankings: compare Ontario school results
- GO Transit: regional trains and buses
- York Region District School Board
- York Catholic District School Board
- YRT / Viva: local and rapid bus service
- Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA): check if a property is in a regulated area
- TRREB Market Watch: monthly GTA sales and price data
Explore nearby areas
- Newmarket: just north
- Richmond Hill: just south
- Markham: to the south-east
- Vaughan: to the south-west
- All area guides: every neighbourhood guide in one place
- Interactive map: see every area on one clickable map
- King City
- East Gwillimbury
- Stouffville
Compare neighbourhoods: Most affordable areas · Best for families · Best for downsizing · First-time buyer guide · Downsizing guide · All neighbourhood guides